Plan your visit to Laghi di Fusine, in Italy

Laghi di Fusine, also known as the Fusine Lakes, is a glacial lake complex located in Northern Italy. The complex is formed by two lakes: Lago di Fusine Superiore (the upper lake) and Lago di Fusine Inferiore (the lower lake).

Access to Laghi di Fusine is very easy, which makes it a great destination for hikers or for a quiet day trip. With this post, we will help you plan a visit to Laghi di Fusine, outlining everything you need to know before your trip.

Where are the Fusine Lakes located

The Laghi di Fusine is located in Northern Italy, in the region called Friuli-Venezia Giulia. If you look at the map below, you will quickly notice they are located very close to where the Italian, Slovenian, and Austrian borders intersect. In fact, the Fusine Lakes are only 6.5 km away from the Slovenian border and 15 km from the Austrian one.

Due to the proximity to Slovenia and Austria, Laghi di Fusine can also be referred to by their local names: Weissenfelser Seen (in German) or Belopeลกka Jezera (in Slovenian). However, Laghi di Fusine is by far the most popular variant and the one you will see on the signs on the road.

The Laghi di Fusine is located in the Julian Alps, a mountain chain that extends from the Northern side of Italy to Slovenia. The lakes are overlooked by the Mangart massif, one of the main peaks of the Julian Alps, which makes for great views.

How to get to Laghi di Fusine 

The best way to reach Laghi di Fusine is by car. If you still need to rent one, check the prices here!

One of the best things about visiting Laghi di Fusine is how practical it is since you are able to park right by the lake. You can use the location on Google Maps for directions as it is accurately marked.

Another option is to get a day tour of Laghi di Fusine. The last time we were there, we saw quite a few tour buses so there must be local tours available. However, we couldnโ€™t find anything online. 

Lastly, we have seen a few people cycling to the Fusine Lakes from the nearest town called Tarvisio, or even from Kranjska Gora in Slovenia. If you pick this option, just be prepared as the road up to the lake is steep.

Parking at Laghi di Fusine โ€“ do you have to pay a fee?

Laghi di Fusine is located within a natural protected area, which means you need to pay an entrance fee if you will be coming with a motorized vehicle. Visitors entering by foot or with a bicycle are exempt from the ticket.

As of beginning of 2024, the prices are as follows:

  • Motorcycle: 3 โ‚ฌ
  • Cars: 5 โ‚ฌ
  • Campers: 15 โ‚ฌ

PS: This measure was introduced only a few years ago to control the number of vehicles in the lakes, so the dates and prices may be adapted from season to season.

Once you pay the toll, you can access the lake area by car. The main parking lot is located at the Lago di Fusine Superiore, the upper lake. This parking area has space for 400 vehicles, but there is also the possibility of parking along the side of the road on the way up there.

If you do not want to pay the entrance fee, you can park the car before the tollbooth and walk to the lakes (it will take around 20 min on foot). There are a few public spots available before the toll but arrive early if you will be visiting during the summer or weekends, as it gets quite busy.

fusine lakes northern italy
italy laghi di fusine

Walk around Laghi di Fusine

The best way to explore the Fusine Lakes is by foot. There is a circular walking path around each lake and another path through the woods connecting the upper and lower lakes. Both paths are mostly flat and of easy level, suitable for family and kids. However, we donโ€™t advise taking a stroller as you will still be walking in the woods, on uneven terrain.

Length of the trails around Laghi di Fusine:

  • Lago di Fusine Inferiore: 1.7 km, around 30 min
  • Lago di Fusine Superiore: 2 km, around 40 min
  • Circular route including both lakes: 4.2 km, around 1h 30min

PS; The above estimation does not include stops for pictures or food. For reference, we took one full hour just on the trail around the lower lake because of the stops for pictures.

Deciding which lake and path are prettier is an impossible mission, as they are quite unique and a bit different from each other. In the next section, I will describe each of them so you know what to expect on your visit.

The trail around Lago di Fusine Superiore

The walk around Lago di Fusine Superiore starts right outside the parking lot. This is the largest lake, and the path around it is much more open than the other. You will have better views of the mountains and probably a quieter walk as the path is wider.

There are many viewpoints scattered throughout the walk and you can see amazing reflections on the lake. If you manage to get to Laghi di Fusine early in the morning, we recommend visiting the upper lake first to get a glimpse of the quiet morning hours by the lake.

On one of the sides, you will also see some cows and horses that are kept in the wild. There is a small area protected with a fence that is designated for them.

italy laghi di fusine superiore
italy laghi di fusine superiore

Trail around Lago di Fusine Inferiore

The lower lake has more of the emerald blue waters you see in the pictures. The path that circles the Lago di Fusine Inferiore goes mostly through the woods, but there are several viewpoints along the way that will give you breathtaking views.

The best views of the lower lake are from the bottom part, where you can see the Mangart Mountains in the backdrop and the most amazing reflections by the water.

italy laghi di fusine

Hikes from Laghi di Fusine

Besides the amazing trails around the lakes, Laghi di Fusine is also the starting point of other hikes through the mountains. One of the most popular hikes is to Rifugio Luigi Zacchi, starting at the Upper Fusine Lake. There are two paths to get you to the top, one being 3 km long and the other 4.4 km.

This hike is usually open from May to October, but this may vary from season to season. We recommend checking if the refuge is open before your trip.

Hiking Gear recommendation

Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.

Where to eat at Laghi di Fusine

There are a few bars/restaurants located around the lakes:

  • Capanna Edelweiss (Lower Fusine Lake): This is the largest place by the Fusine Lakes. It is a restaurant and accommodation. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations when we went, but we have read great reviews. If you visit in high season, make sure to book a table.
  • Belvedere (Lower Fusine Lake): A small bar located right at the shore of Lago di Fusine Inferiore. This is the place that offers the best views, especially if you can find a spot to sit on the outside deck. However, it also gets very busy.
  • Bar ai Sette Nani (Upper Fusine Lake): Located right by the parking lot, this is a great option of a place to have a morning coffee or an after-hike drink. They do offer some snack options also.

If you donโ€™t want to wait for the busy places to eat by the lakes, another great alternative is to head to Tarvisio, the nearest town. Tarvisio is located only 10 km away from Laghi di Fusine and it offers a wider variety of restaurants. 

We had a pizza at Pizzeria Friuli and the food caught us by surprise at how tasty it was, so we definitely recommend checking it out. Prices were much more affordable than eating in the restaurants by the lake. Prices for pizza started at 5-6 โ‚ฌ.

italy laghi di fusine

What is the best time to visit Laghi di Fusine in Italy?

The Laghi di Fusine can be visited all year round, including during winter. Depending on the season you decide to go, you will have a completely different experience in the lakes.

The high season is between May and September, with July and August being the busiest months. We recommend visiting the lake in June or September so you can try to avoid the crowds of the busiest months but still see the lake in full bloom. Just to be safe, you should try to arrive early in the morning.

The lower season is during the winter, between December and February. If you visit the Laghi di Fusine during the winter, you will probably encounter it full of snow. It can lead to incredible views, but make sure you have the right boots and equipment before going on the hikes.

Pro tip: Make sure you go to the lakes during the morning, especially if you are looking for good photography opportunities. During the afternoon, the Fusine Lakes are in the shade.

italy laghi di fusine
italy laghi di fusine

Where to stay near Laghi di Fusine

For easy access to the lakes, we recommend staying in Tarvisio if you prefer to stay on the Italian side, or in Kranjska Gora, if you prefer to stay in Slovenia. Here are our hotel recommendations:

Places to stay in Tarvisio:

  • Hotel Raibl Appartamenti: This hotel is located right in the center of Tarvisio and has great price deals, with breakfast usually included. Accommodations are simple but comfortable.
  • Hotel Il Cervo SPA & Wellness: Located just a bit outside of the center, this spa offers more comfort and full wellness installations if you are looking for a more relaxed vacation.

Places to stay in Kranjska Gora:

  • Vitranc Apartments: Great option if you will be traveling in larger groups and would prefer to stay in an apartment.
  • Hostel Lukna: Budget-friendly accommodation located in Mojstrana, only a few minutes out of Kranjska Gora. Very well-rated hostel with comfortable installations.

Check other things to do in the area

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italy laghi di fusine
italy laghi di fusine

Organizing your trip

To help you plan your trip to Italy, we have put together our favorite planning resources: 

  • Flights: Get affordable flights to Italy on Skyscanner.com
  • Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad. 
  • Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals. 
  • Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com
  • Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
  • SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip withย Airalo.
  • Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Italy!

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